Nosso objetivo é refletir sobre o estado da arte da área acadêmica de relações internacionais no Brasil, com foco na pós-graduação. As premissas que norteiam o trabalho são: a) houve produção de pensamento, de pesquisa e de ensino antecedente à institucionalização da área nos anos de 1980; b) a partir dos anos 2000 a área consolidou-se. O trabalho está estruturado em cinco seções, incluindo a introdução e a conclusão. A segunda seção apresenta os primeiros pensadores e pesquisadores do campo das relações internacionais no Brasil. A terceira aborda a institucionalização com base no crescimento quantitativo dos cursos de graduação, de pós-graduação e da pesquisa. A quarta analisa quantitativa e qualitativamente como se dá a consolidação da pós-graduação, além de indicar questões merecedoras de maior reflexão, como o impacto e a autonomia da área.

In this article, we examine the establishment of the Brazilian biofuels policy (RenovaBio). We identify whether there was participation of stakeholders, and efforts of interest groups (associations, sugar refineries, and fuel distributors) to send technical notes and comments in order to have their perspectives heard and demands met, mainly regarding the definition of individual targets for reducing greenhouse gases (GHG). Government documents and stakeholder comments were consulted. For this purpose, we used the social network analysis technique. We argue that the capacity for social participation in these hearings can increase the influence of specific groups on political decisions. The results of the study show the predominant participation of trade associations and companies linked to the energy and biofuels sector. RenovaBio reaffirms the argument in favor of decarbonization, energy security, and the contribution of biofuels to reducing GHG, as motivating and legitimizing factors for their establishment.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the U.S. international agricultural trade policy by focusing on instruments and institutional arrangements. Policy decision-making is analyzed by means of three variables: 1) how interests are mobilized; 2) how information is disseminated; and 3) how spaces are occupied in deliberation arenas. The study refers to the corn sector and observes how the National Corn Growers Association operated to ensure subsidies and incentives for this supply chain along the elaboration of the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills, as well as from other laws pertaining to agricultural and energy incentives. This paper provides evidences in favor of four arguments: first, empirical studies on the formulation and implementation of foreign trade policy, especially when it comes to agricultural issues, would greatly benefit with a greater attention on understanding the role domestic actors play in the decision-making processes; second, interest groups play a key role in this decision-making process; third, they provide the rationale for the formulation and implementation of the U.S. international agricultural trade policy; and, fourth, when the economic sector coordinates complex and relevant supply chains in the U.S. economy, it is hardly possible to revert the U.S. protectionist position in the Legislative branch.

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